Workers Hope Merger Ends Labor Dispute

Workers at Avondale Industries are backing the New Orleans-based yard's merger with Newport News Shipbuilding, citing their hope that the deal will end a labor dispute with the company.

Avondale's hourly workers voted to unionize by a slim margin five years ago, but the yard rejected the results. Avondale has been cited for more than 100 violations of labor law in connection with the union drive but has appealed the ruling.

The workers are basing their support of the merger primarily on what they perceive to be a good relationship between the United Steelworkers of America and the Newport News yard.

"The union and the company have a solid working relationship, and we hope that Avondale workers will soon have the opportunity to exercise their legal right to have a voice on the job through a union contract," said Jim Evans of the AFL-CIO's Metal Trades Council's "Justice at Avondale Campaign."

The council, Evans said in a press release, expects the merger to be favorable for shareholders, workers, the Navy and other customers. "The Avondale workers will continue to shine a spotlight on injustice in the yard and continue to press for the company to honor their rights under the law."

- Dennis O'Brien can be reached at 247-4791 or by e-mail at dobrien@dailypress.com